P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

[ali09011980]

Hi All,

I bought Mercedes C 180 Bluefficiency 2011 (40,000 miles) almost 7 months ago.

The car drives okay, no power loss everything is in good condition - I was very happy till yesterday.

Few months ago engine light came up, and then it went away by it self second day. And then again few weeks ago it came up and then went away the next day. I decided to buy obdII code reader and see for my self what the code is. The code was P0340. Googling this I came to know its P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction.

I thought I'll get it checked. So yesterday I took it to Mercedes for service A and also told them about this light. At that time the light was off, so they told me to forget about it and only worry when it's back on. I said ok. They carried on with service A. And when the service was done, they said the light was back on. So they are checking it now.

And it's after this check I am feeling very disharted: they said they are not 100% sure they will have to investigate it which will cost around £600 for investigation and if it is what they are suspecting then this will cost about £2600 on top. They were saying that they may have to take of and adjust the timing chain.

They said the light is off now, it may come back on again some day. So I can go for now, and come back when I decide to get this fixed. It will take 3 days.

Am I in trouble? Should I get this fixed asap? Will my car one day stop working on a long route? Is it really going to be that expensive fix?

P.S. I drive only on weekends - since last 7 months I only did 2500 miles.

Thanks in advance.

 

[grober]

You probably have the M271 engine. They can have timing chain/gear problems. There's lots of threads on that engine problem on the forum if you do a search. Mercedes main dealer charges are very high. On a 5-6 year old car you are best seeking the services of a reputable independent Mercedes specialist. You can reduce repair costs considerably.

 

[pembssurf]

Personally with an M271 throwing off Cam fault codes like that I would trade it in with another garage while the light is off. Chances are if it snaps or slips which it sounds like it's close to doing it will be beyond economical repair on a2011 vehicle. If you want it fixed and you have complete and up to date full Mercedes service history it would be worth asking for a repair contribution from MB.

I just traded in my W204 with the same engine as we were close to 70k miles and this exact issue was becoming a real concern to us.

 

[ali09011980]

Do I need to be concerned even at 42500 miles? Isn't that too early for such a problem?

 

[pembssurf]

Do I need to be concerned even at 42500 miles? Isn't that too early for such a problem?

Don't want to be the bearer of bad news but sounds very much like the problem is there already and more a case of "When" not "if" normally throwing fault codes means the timing chain is ready and is indeed already slipping on the gear. With those exact fault codes and the symptoms I'd say this is a 95% certainty.

With regards to mileage some of these engines have been known to throw a chain sub 30,k miles. More often occurs on low mileage short trip engines or those that have missed a service or had wrong spec oil out in previously.

If it totally let goes you are looking at a new engine +£8k or a recon/engine rebuild +£4K depending on damage done. Either way take it to an independent specialist to confirm, this won't cost you more than !200 to inspect i would have thought then make your decision from there.

 

[ali09011980]

Ok, so what if I do take it to Mercedes and ask them to do what ever they quoted:

1. Timing chain check and investigation = £429.12
2. If timing is out remove cylinder head and replace timing chain = £2639.28

If I get the timing chain replaced, will I then be safe?

 

[grober]

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/218097-c180-1-8-cgi-cam-chain-tensioner.html

It's important to calibrate the repair as a percentage cost against the value of the car. Its wise to replace most if not all the timing gear depending on wear- chain/ sprockets/chain tensioner/guides- hence the high cost. An independent specialist will use Mercedes parts but his labour costs will be considerably lower. This is a pretty common repair so they will have plenty experience in what is required. Will it last? - done properly and protected by regular engine oil changes it should be good for a least another 50k + miles . Since by your own admission your annual mileage is low you should be fine.

 

[pembssurf]

Exactly as above, it's not just the chain that needs replacing but the tensioner and complete timing gear hence the expense. In all honesty unless MB UK are prepared to offer 50% contribution you are better off going to an independent as above.

 

[Tuercas viejas]

For info this engine was plagued in its early years with the cam and tensioner problems.
In fact in the USA it was part of a class action law suit which MB lost and had to conduct warranty claims reimbursement up to 100,000 miles for US owners up to years 2006.. This engine was also installed in Dodge badge MB Sprinter vans.
I have fixed a few of them in Lat Am for clients who have suffered the same problems its basically a full tear out with upgraded parts to fix it.
I am surprised it hasn't grenaded itself wrecking the engine (which by the way is the most common end result!)
Tuercas Viejas

 

[pembssurf]

For info this engine was plagued in its early years with the cam and tensioner problems. In fact in the USA it was part of a class action law suit which MB lost and had to conduct warranty claims reimbursement up to 100,000 miles for US owners up to years 2006.. This engine was also installed in Dodge badge MB Sprinter vans. I have fixed a few of them in Lat Am for clients who have suffered the same problems its basically a full tear out with upgraded parts to fix it. I am surprised it hasn't grenaded itself wrecking the engine (which by the way is the most common end result!) Tuercas Viejas

If it was me I would drive it as little as possible and with a light foot to the nearest showroom and trade it in.

 

[ali09011980]

If it was me I would drive it as little as possible and with a light foot to the nearest showroom and trade it in.

I can't just give it to some one, knowing there is a problem inside. And if I tell them, I'll have to reduce the price to accommodate the fix they will be doing. Then what's the point? I would rather fix it and sell.

 

[ali09011980]

Going to see a mechanic next week, lets see. Will update you guys what happened. Thankyou all.

By the way, not sure if I mentioned, it's manual transmission. Not sure if that changes any thing?

 

[pembssurf]

I can't just give it to some one, knowing there is a problem inside. And if I tell them, I'll have to reduce the price to accommodate the fix they will be doing. Then what's the point? I would rather fix it and sell.

I would have no problem taking a very low mileage Mercedes Benz with a massive well known problem that they have had 12 years in production to fix (but never have) back to a Mercedes dealership who would then sell it on with a used 1 year warranty whereby when it fails MBUK will be liable for the whole cost. Inconvenient for the new owner I agree but at least they will be covered where you are not. Like i said this was the reason I traded my c180 in to a dealer 4 weeks ago for a 13 plate diesel. Maybe my moral compass just needs re-calibrating, either way I hope you get it sorted at minimal cost.

 

[pembssurf]

Also manual gearbox has no bearing on this problem.

 

[190]

I would have no problem taking a very low mileage Mercedes Benz with a massive well known problem that they have had 12 years in production to fix (but never have) back to a Mercedes dealership who would then sell it on with a used 1 year warranty whereby when it fails MBUK will be liable for the whole cost. Inconvenient for the new owner I agree but at least they will be covered where you are not. Like i said this was the reason I traded my c180 in to a dealer 4 weeks ago for a 13 plate diesel. Maybe my moral compass just needs re-calibrating, either way I hope you get it sorted at minimal cost.

I think you make a good point. If MB's moral compass was pointing the right way they would have fixed it for free like they did in the US.

 

[Tuercas viejas]

I think you make a good point. If MB's moral compass was pointing the right way they would have fixed it for free like they did in the US.

There are NO MORAL compasses in the MV world!
Its Mr Caveat Emptor who rises to warn us all!

Its a great thing this Class Action Law suit stuff!
Got US buyers a nice handout from VW over their emissions fraud debacle but won't compensate Euro owners caught up in the same morass.
Tuercas Viejas

 

[starrzo]

Hi All,

I bought Mercedes C 180 Bluefficiency 2011 (40,000 miles) almost 7 months ago.

The car drives okay, no power loss everything is in good condition - I was very happy till yesterday.

Few months ago engine light came up, and then it went away by it self second day. And then again few weeks ago it came up and then went away the next day. I decided to buy obdII code reader and see for my self what the code is. The code was P0340. Googling this I came to know its P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction.

I thought I'll get it checked. So yesterday I took it to Mercedes for service A and also told them about this light. At that time the light was off, so they told me to forget about it and only worry when it's back on. I said ok. They carried on with service A. And when the service was done, they said the light was back on. So they are checking it now.

And it's after this check I am feeling very disharted: they said they are not 100% sure they will have to investigate it which will cost around £600 for investigation and if it is what they are suspecting then this will cost about £2600 on top. They were saying that they may have to take of and adjust the timing chain.

They said the light is off now, it may come back on again some day. So I can go for now, and come back when I decide to get this fixed. It will take 3 days.

Am I in trouble? Should I get this fixed asap? Will my car one day stop working on a long route? Is it really going to be that expensive fix?

P.S. I drive only on weekends - since last 7 months I only did 2500 miles.

Thanks in advance.

I have a C220 CDI with OM646. Around 5 months ago I had the same problem, EML was coming and going, and sometimes I had a rough idle.

I was told that the camshaft position sensors themselves never fail, but I was getting the P0340 code. A new sensor is £30 from the dealer and takes a second to change, on my engine. I replaced it and never saw the light again - car is driving perfectly.